Chinese regulators target Microsoft for office visits

Computerworld reports that officials from the China government appeared at four Microsoft offices, but the purpose of the visits was unclear.

The South China Morning Post, a pro-Beijing English-language newspaper based in Hong Kong, first reported the unannounced visits to Microsoft offices in Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Shanghai by authorities from China's State Administration for Industry & Commerce. The agency has some antitrust and consumer protection responsibilities, but also is in charge of corporate licensing, foreign company oversight and trademarks.

Although the South China Morning Post called the visits "raids" and said that they were part of an "official investigation," it provided no other details. The State Administration for Industry & Commerce was not available for comment, as it was after hours in China; an email requesting comment was returned undelivered.